Upon entering the Empress Dowager's palace, a rich aroma of medicine mingled with a faint scent of sandalwood. The air was filled with a somber yet oppressive atmosphere.
The Empress Dowager was pale and closed her eyes to rest, while the eunuchs and maids around her all looked nervous.
Prince Jing stood to one side, his brows furrowed.
Upon seeing Meng Zhelan arrive, a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes.
"Doctor Meng, I entrust the health of my grandmother and father to you." Prince Jing's words were earnest.
Meng Zhelan bowed slightly and then stepped forward to take the Empress Dowager's pulse.
Her fingers lightly touched the Empress Dowager's weak pulse, and she already had a plan in mind.
The Empress Dowager's illness was caused by excessive worry, coupled with her advanced age and declining physical functions.
She turned to Prince Jing and said softly, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager needs to calm down and recuperate, and think less and worry less. I can prescribe a few prescriptions to calm the mind and nourish the blood, and supplement them with acupuncture. This should help alleviate the symptoms."
Seeing Meng Zhelan's calm and composed demeanor, the Crown Prince's worries lessened slightly.
He nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude: "Dr. Meng, thank you for your help."
Then, as if remembering something, he tentatively asked, "Third brother... surely Doctor Meng already knows?"
Mentioning these things, Meng Zhelan's expression immediately turned serious.
She nodded slightly, her eyes filled with sorrow. "The deceased is gone; please accept my condolences, Your Highness."
Qi Xuan sighed, "I heard earlier that my elder brother asked the Emperor to grant you two a marriage. I never imagined that you two would be separated by death. It's truly a cruel twist of fate, and the world is unpredictable."
Upon hearing this, Meng Zhelan sighed softly, her tone full of restraint: "Your Highness is absolutely right. Things are unpredictable, and human strength is sometimes limited. I am destined to meet Your Highness but not to be together."
His departure is a great misfortune for the world, and an unbearable pain for this humble woman. Yet, the heart of a healer lies in saving lives and healing the wounded. Even in my grief, I must suppress my sorrow and continue to fulfill my duty, saving more lives to comfort His Highness's spirit in heaven.
Upon hearing this, Prince Jing's eyes flashed with admiration. "Doctor Meng's magnanimity is truly admirable. If my elder brother could know this in the afterlife, he would surely be gratified to have such a confidant. However, the court is currently in turmoil, and my father's health is declining day by day. I wonder if Doctor Meng has the confidence to treat him?"
Meng Zhelan pondered for a moment and said, "The Imperial Medical Academy is the gathering place of all medical skills in the world. Although I am not talented, I am willing to do my best to share Your Majesty's burdens."
When Meng Zhelan arrived at the emperor's bedroom, he found his father was also there. The two exchanged a subtle glance.
On the dragon bed, the emperor's eyes were closed, his face as pale as paper, no longer the spirited man he once was.
The surroundings were so quiet that only the occasional chirping of night birds outside the window could be heard, intertwining with the faint flickering of the candlelight inside the hall, adding to the heaviness and unease.
Meng Zhelan stepped forward slowly, and the eunuch placed a handkerchief on the emperor's hand.
She extended her right index and middle fingers and gently placed them on the emperor's wrist, carefully feeling his pulse.
Her expression turned serious, for the emperor's pulse was weak and erratic, like a candle flickering in the wind, as if it might be extinguished at any moment.
Meng Zhelan was secretly startled, and couldn't help but frown in confusion: "How is this possible?"
The last time she saw the emperor, he was still vigorous and walked with an imposing gait.
Why did the emperor's condition deteriorate to such a degree in such a short period of time?
At this moment, Crown Prince Qi Xuan asked anxiously, "Doctor Meng, how is Father Emperor now?"
She withdrew her fingers from the emperor's wrist and knelt down directly. "Your Highness, please forgive my incompetence."
Upon hearing this, Qi Xuan's face turned ashen.
His hands clenched into fists, as if he were trying to suppress the anxiety and grief in his heart. "Alright, go and take care of the Empress Dowager."
He waved his hand, and Meng Zhelan retreated accordingly.
The imperial physician sighed, "I beg Your Highness to search for a miraculous healer among the common people. I have heard of a doctor in the countryside who possesses the ability to bring the dead back to life, but I've heard he has long since retired into seclusion. If we find him, perhaps..."
Now, Qi Xuan had no other choice but to send people to search for a miracle doctor. At the same time, everyone in the Imperial Medical Academy did their best to ensure that the emperor could hold on until the miracle doctor appeared.
The leader of the Red Lotus Sect was practicing a long-lost secret technique in a dark, secluded chamber.
Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps interrupted his meditation. A protector dressed in black rushed in, clutching a secret letter tightly in his hand.
"Master, an urgent report has arrived from the palace: His Majesty the Emperor is critically ill, and the imperial physicians are at a loss. They are searching everywhere for the legendary divine healer."
The Dharma Protector reported in a low voice, his excitement barely concealed.
Upon hearing this, the cult leader narrowed his eyes and sneered, "The dog emperor's days are finally numbered. Give the order..."
Crown Prince Qi Xuan, citing the reason that the Empress Dowager could not be without someone by her side, allowed Meng Zhelan to stay temporarily in the Empress Dowager's palace.
The retired emperor was also suffering from both qi and blood deficiency, and closed his doors to guests to recuperate.
The merchants at the trade fair had already mostly left.
They hurriedly drove their carriages away, everyone fearing that the war would reach Kyoto and that they would be drawn into the conflict, so they fled this dangerous place.
Some powerful and wealthy families also left Kyoto with their families and valuables.
The news that Black Wolf, in alliance with Red Shirts from various regions, had decisively defeated the reinforcements led by General Xu and continued to advance towards Kyoto was like a dark cloud hanging over the city, casting a pall of oppression and panic over the entire city.
The streets, once bustling with activity, are now deserted, replaced by closed doors and crowds of people hastily fleeing.
The occasional sound of horses' hooves seemed particularly jarring in the quiet city, like a death knell on the eve of war.
Inside the palace, the crown prince and his ministers held an emergency meeting to discuss countermeasures.
The imperial study was brightly lit, and the atmosphere was solemn.
The crown prince frowned, his eyes revealing an unprecedented resolve and worry.
"Send down the order to strengthen the city's defenses and mobilize troops from all over the country to defend the capital. We must not let the rebels succeed!" The Crown Prince's voice was firm and powerful, echoing in the empty hall.
Upon hearing this, the ministers nodded in agreement, their faces filled with solemnity.
The Prime Minister stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Highness is wise. I will immediately draft an edict and dispatch it to the border via the fastest courier. At the same time, I will order the Imperial Guards in the capital to strengthen patrols to ensure that there is no mishap inside or outside the capital."
“In addition,” the Crown Prince pondered for a moment, then added, “we also need to send spies to infiltrate the rebel army, to find out their strengths and weaknesses, and to understand their movements and plans. Only by knowing ourselves and our enemy can we win every battle.”
A general in armor stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "This humble general is willing to take on this mission and will certainly live up to its expectations, keeping abreast of every move of the rebels."
The Crown Prince nodded approvingly, a glint of approval in his eyes: "General, you are brave and I am very pleased. But this journey is dangerous, so please be careful and return safely."
"Yes, sir!" the general replied loudly, turning to leave.
"Wait a minute," the Crown Prince suddenly called out to him, took out a token from his sleeve, and solemnly handed it to him, "This token can be used to mobilize the garrison troops of various cities along the way to assist you, so be sure to make good use of it."
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